Harness return strap and anchor device



Aug. 21, 1951 F; LA 5 2,565,375

HARNESS RETURN STRAP AND ANCHOR DEVICE Filed May 10, 1949 F E- 4 FRANCIS cggxf fikxmz MM ifiwa ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 21, 1951 HARNESS RETURN STRAP AND ANCHOR DEVICE:

Francis Gerard Lake, New York, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Steel and Alloy Tank Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 10, 1949, Serial No. 92,341

7 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to harness return motions for looms and more particularly to harness return motions of the general type shown and described in copending application Serial No. 4,986, filed January 29, 1948, now Patent No. 2,557,033.

A shedding device of the type to which the present invention applies commonly includes a plurality of harnesses carrying heddles through which pass the warp threads. These harnesses are suspended from a loom-arch by a harness return motion and are depressed by undercams which are mounted on a cam shaft or on an auxiliary shaft driven from said cam shaft and which operate on follower treadles to which the harness frames are attached by straps or cables. These cams serve to move the harnesses in only one direction, i. e., downward. A head motion is necessary to bring the harnesses to their original position.

In the form shown in the aforesaid copending application, the head motion comprises a driving pulley, a pair of straps for suspending a harness frame from said pulley, and means for connecting the ends of said straps in couple relationship to the periphery of said pulley. Each of these connecting means comprises an anchor near the end of each strap adapted to be slipped into an opening in the periphery of the pulley to effect a disengageable connection between said strap and said pulley. The anchor shown in the aforesaid copending application is in the form of a hook having a split clamping sleeve fastened to the steel core of the strap.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved anchor for the general purpose described, which is comparatively inexpensive to make, which is light but nevertheless strong and rigid enough to withstand effectively heavy constant service, and which is permanently secured to a harness return strap, so that slippage of the anchor or its separation from said strap is obviated.

Various other objects are apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a'fragmentary front elevation with parts broken away of the left side of the harness head motion, and shows a combined strap and harness return anchor device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the combined harness return strap and anchor device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the anchor device shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section of the combined harness return strap and anchor device taken on lines 4-4 of Fig. 3.

The harness return strap and anchor device of the present invention may be applied to a shedding mechanism comprising an undercam device (not shown) having a cam shaft or an auxiliary cam shaft driven from said cam shaft, undercams on one of said shafts and treadles to which the harness frames (not shown) are attached by straps operated by said undercams.

Each undercam moves the harness which it actuates in on direction only, i. e., downward, a head motion being necessary to bring the harness back to its original position. In the specific form shown in the drawings, the head motion comprises a set I l of axially aligned grooved idler sheaves l2 corresponding to the harnesses in number and mounted near one side of a loom-arch l3 and a similar set (not shown) of axially aligned grooved idler sheaves located in the respective planes of or in edgewise respective alignment with the sheaves I2 but mounted near the other side of said loom-arch. The sheaves of each set are supported for independent idler rotation on a stud l5 secured to a bracket I6 mounted on the top cross-piece of the loom-arch l3.

Each harness is suspended from the head motion by a pair of straps I1 and I8 connected to the harness frame near its sides respectively, and passing over a pair of coplanar idler sheaves respectively (including one of the sheaves I2) located directly above said harness. These straps are fastened at their outer ends to a springpressed driving pulley, as will be described.

A plurality of units of driving pulleys are provided spaced along the loom-arch l3, only one of such units designated by the numeral I9 being shown. In the construction of the aforesaid application, three of such units each comprising a pair of coaxial driving pulleys are provided, for the return operation of six harnesses. The driving unit is shown comprises two of such coaxial pulleys, or wheels, 2c in planar alignment with respective idler sheaves l2 of the set I l and with respective idler sheaves of the other set (not shown). These pulleys are independently loaded by spring means (not shown) and are independently operatable, as described more fully in the aforesaid copending application. A peripheral groove 22 is provided on each of these pulleys to receive corresponding harness straps I 'l and I8.

The left-hand strap [1 passes over an idler sheave I2 of the set II and extends around the upper side of a corresponding pulley 2D in the plane of the corresponding harness and of said idler sheave. At its end, the strap I1 is secured to the periphery of the pulley.

The right-hand strap l8 passes over an idler sheave of the other set in the plane of the pulley and extends around the underside of the pulley 20. At its end, the right-hand strap is secured to the periphery of the pulley.

As a result of the arrangements of the straps H and i8 described, these straps have the effect of a couple on the drive pulley 2Q tending to rotate it against the action of the spring (not shown) when the corresponding harness is lowered to form the bottom shed line. After the depressing movement of the harness by the operation of the undercam has been completed, the

harness is made to move upwardly by the action of the spring on the drive pulley 2D.

The part of the return motion so far described is shown and broadly claimed in the aforesaid copending application.

For removably and adjustably securing the end of the strap 1! to the drive pulley, or wheel, 20, said pulley has a series ofholes 26 on one side of said pulleys. For removably securing the end of the other strap 1-8 to the drive pulley, said pulley has a series of holes (not shown) on the diametrically opposite side thereof.

Each of the holes 26 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the strap engaging section of the pulley periphery at the radially outer end of said hole. The other holes for the other strap Ware-similarly inclined with respect to the pulley periphery;

For securing the end-of the strap [1 in any one of theholesZB, there is secured to the end of said strap an anchor?! in the form of a hook. The strap I1 is desirably in the form of a core rope or cable 28 of the helical strand type made of suitable metal such as steeland enclosedin a flexible protective sheathing 30 of suitable material such as rubber or fabric. ,The strap [1 carries the anchor 21 at the denuded end of its cable 28.

As an important featurev of the present invention, the anchor 21 is-die-cast in one pieceover the bare end of the cable 28-and comprises a ferrule section 32 curvedto conform with the curvature of the pulley groove 22 and having its forward end 34 on its radially outer side bevelled. Extending integrally from the ferrule Section 32 is a spur-like piece 35 serving as a fluke or catch for engagement into any one of the holes 26. The piece 35 tapers slightly towards its outer end to facilitate its entry into a hole 26 and has an axial bore terminating short of its outer end and at its inner end intercommunicating with the axial bore 31 of the ferrule section 32, to define an acutely angulated retaining cavity for the bent and section 38 of the cable 28.

The piece 35 extends at an acute angle of about with the innerpartof the anchor ferrule section 32-to conform said angle with the acute angle between each hole 25 and the pulley periphcry, and at its inner-end near the ferrule section 32- fits'snugly in its receiving hole 2-6.

As already indicated, the anchor 2'!- is diecast under pressure-directly over and around the acutely'bentend section 38 of the cable 28 and is therefore firmlyand inseparably bonded or attached thereto. The die-casting 2! is desirably made of white metal (i. e. acombination comprising zinc and magnesium) and more specifically of a so-called Zamak metal. A typical Zamak composition SAE 921 which could be used would have the following composition:

Per cent Aluminum 3.5-4 .5 Copper 2.5-3.5 Magnesium .02-.10 Iron .10 Lead .00'7 Cadmium .005 Tin .005

Remainder zinc A die-casting so made would be advantageously light and strong and would be well able to withstand the rigors of constant high speed operations.

The anchor ferrule section 32 has its diameter slightly less than the depth of the pulley groove 22, so that it fits easily therein without projecting radially outwardly therefrom. The acute angle between the anchor catch 35 and the corresponding pulley wound cable 28, and the tensional action of said cable on the anchor 21 assures retention of the anchor 21 in a hole 26 against outward axial displacement therefrom. The greater the tension of the cable 28, the further in the anchor catch 35 is thrust into its retentive hole 26. When it is desired to disengage the anchor 27 from any hole 23 and engage it into any other hole 26, this can be done very easily by the simple manipulation of slipping the anchor out of its hole and into the other hole.

The anchor for the other strap 13 is similar to the anchor 21 and is similarly secured to said strap.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to a specific embodiment. it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A one-piece anchor for attaching the end of a return harness strap to a peripheral hole in a harness return loom pulley, comprising a ferrule section adapted to be fastened over the end of said strap, and a spur-like catch extending from said ferrule section at an acute angle with respect to the inner portion of said ferrule section and adapted to extend into said pulley hole in anchoring position.

2. An anchor for attaching the cable end of a return harness strap to a peripheral hole in a harness return loom pulley comprising a ferrule section, and a spur-like catch extending from said ferrule section and adapted to extend into said pulley hole in anchoring position, said ferrule section and said catch being integral and provided with intercommunicating bores conjointly defining an angular cavity for the angular retention of the cable end of said strap, said catch extending at an acute angle with respect to the inner portion of said ferrule section.

3. In a harness return motion, the combination COmpIiSing a return harness strap having a flexible metal cable, and a one-piece anchor for attaching the end of said cable toa peripheral hole in a harness return loom pulley, comprising a'ferrule section, and a spur-like-catch extending from said ferrule section at an acute angle with respect-to-the inner portion of said ferrule section, and adapted to extend into said pulley hole in anchoring position, said ferrule section and said catch being provided with intercommunicating bores conjointly defining an acutely angulated cavity, the end of said cable being bent and retained in said cavity, said anchor being cast over and around the end of said cable to form an inseparable unit therewith.

4. In a loom, a wheel having a hole in the periphery thereof extending inwardly in a non-radial direction, a harness cord including a stranded metal cable, a one-piece cast anchor secured to one end of said cable, said anchor including a ferrule section and a spur-like catch extending from said ferrule section at an acute angle thereto, said catch being inserted in said hole and said ferrule resting on the periphery of the wheel.

5. In a loom the combination comprising a harness strap, and a one-piece anchor for attaching the end of said strap to a peripheral hole in a harness pulley, said anchor including a ferrule section and a spur-like catch extending from said ferrule section intermediate the inner and the outer end portions thereof, said spur-like catch extending from said ferrule section at an acute angle with respect to the inner end portion of said ferrule section and adapted to extend into said pulley hole in an anchoring position, said inner and outer end portions of said ferrule section being curved to conform substantially with the circumferential curvature of said pulley.

6. In a loom, a wheel having a peripheral hole therein extending inwardly in a non-radial direction, a harness cord, a one-piece anchor secured to one end of said cord, said anchor including a ferrule section and a spur-like catch extending from said ferrule section at an acute angle thereto, said catch being inserted in said hole and said ferrule resting on the periphery of said wheel.

7. In a loom, a wheel having a peripheral hole therein extending inwardly in a non-radial direction, a harness cord, and a one-piece anchor secured to oneend of said cord, said anchor including a ferrule section and a spur-like catch extending from said ferrule section intermediate the inner and outer end portions thereof, said spur-like catch extending from said ferrule section at an acute angle with respect to the inner portion of said ferrule section and into said hole in an anchoring position, said ferrule section being curved to conform substantially with the circumferential curvature of said pulley whereby both portions of said ferrule section rest on the periphery of said wheel.

FRANCIS GERARD LAKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Nichols Nov. 30, 

